Hey to all reading. Sorry its been so long for this update but ive been working some night shifts and then I was ill so unable to sit at my beloved computer. I think I focused alot on the Abby/Carter relationship in this one but i am a die hard Carby so what do you expect. please review. The next couple of chatpers are currently under construction and will take place outside of the ER with, hoefully, a bit of humor too. Any way, enjoy and as always, please review.

Chapter 4

Kerry had given Carter the next day off to make sure Abby was ok, so it wasn't until the following day when he was back at work. He hated leaving Abby alone, especially leaving so early in the morning but he couldn't really expect Kerry to let him have too much time off work.

He stood next to Abby as she lay sleeping peacefully in their bed. He thought back to their first night home. She hadn't been so peaceful then. In fact, he wasn't scared to admit that he had been frightened at how panicked she had been. When they had gotten home, Carter had run a bath for her with her favorite scented bubbles. He had left her alone to bathe, which in itself had been hard, and prepared her some soup, knowing full well that she wouldn't be able to eat anything more because of her sore throat. After she had eaten as much as she could, Carter forced her into bed with a cup of hot chocolate. They talked about little things for a few moments, then, after she had finished her drink, Carter wrapped his arms around her and pulled her as close as he could into his protective hug. Then she had started talking, really talking. He hadn't really expected her to share her feelings about what had happened, she never had in the past. He only hoped that she would. He was truly surprised that she did so readily and so soon.

'I was scared Carter,' she said in a small whisper. 'He had me by the throat and I was so scared I was gonna die.' Carter swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He didn't like to admit to her but he had thought the same. In a small voice that mirrored hers he said, 'I did too.'

Abby was silent for a while and Carter thought that was all she was gonna say. He felt wetness on his chest and looked down concerned. Abby was crying softly. Carter wasn't sure what his next step should be. He couldn't recall ever seeing her cry. He knew she didn't like to let anyone see her vulnerable. He could recall a couple of times where he thought she would cry, notably when her mother was seizing on a gurney after she had taken an overdose of diphenhydramine on the journey back from Oklahoma. But here she was crying in his arms. He was strangely elated. Not that she was crying, far from it, but because she felt comfortable enough with him and their relationship that she could cry in front of him.

'Its ok, Abby,' he said, trying to hold her closer to convey in the hug that he would be there for her. 'Your gonna be ok.'

'Then I woke up and I was intubated,' she continued, 'and at first I could remember what had happened.' Carter softly stroked her arm, encouraging her to continue. She sniffed a little. 'I knew it must have been bad cos Susan gets this look on her face when she has to give bad news.' Carter nodded his agreement, not wanting to say anything in case it stopped her from talking. 'I couldn't move my arm. I thought it was broken, but..' she stopped and sat up a little and looked at Carter through red eyes, 'it was you.'

'What was me?' he asked.

'You had fallen asleep on my arm and I couldn't move it.' Carter just looked at her and nodded. He tentatively reached out and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. At least that masked what he really wanted to do as his fingers grazed across her cheek.

'Did you ever leave? She asked.

Carter smiled his shy smile and shook his head, 'I couldn't.' he croaked, shaken by the emotion in his voice.

Abby starred into his chocolate eyes, seemingly searching for something. She pulled him down to her lips and kissed him. Carter felt her arms wrapped around him as he let himself sink deeper and deeper into the kiss. He felt her pull away and reluctantly let her, not wanting to push her into anything that she didn't want. She settled back against his chest and said, 'thank you.' Carter tipped his head down, questioningly, 'for what?' he asked. Abby looked up, then back down as if ashamed, 'For staying with me, for not leaving.' Carter shook his head, would she ever learn, he thought. As if to enforce this, he said, 'Abby, I'm not gonna leave. I'm not going anywhere. I've waited too long for you. I'm not giving up that easy. He kissed the top of her head, 'okay.' He thought she had fallen asleep as it took her a while but she finally said, 'okay.' 20 minutes later she was asleep but Carter refused to let go of her so he leaned back against the headboard, closed his eyes and slept the best he could.

Abby was dreaming. She was at work doing the usual. Flirting with Carter, taking bloods, checking labs, laughing with Susan. Everything seem to have a surreal feel to it as she moved around the ER. She entered a room and it was pitch black, she felt ice trickle down her back as she walked further into the room. Then everything was spinning and she couldn't breath. He was here and he was strangling her. She screamed as best she could.

Carter was jolted awake as he felt Abby pulled from his arms with a scream. He sat up quickly, trying to calm her down. 'Abby..its ok Abby,' he said in a soothing voice.

Abby looked around the room wildly. Not really seeing her own bedroom but the hospital. Her hands went up to her throat. She could still feel his hand across her neck getting tighter and tighter. 'John, make him stop,' she cried out.

Carter wasn't sure if she was awake or till dreaming. 'Abby.' he said again as he turned her round to him. 'He's not here. We're at home, its just us.' Abby still seemed to be in her own little nightmare.

Abby looked at Carter, not really seeing him, just relaying the events of earlier. 'John, I can't breath, help me.' It almost broke his heart to hear her say that, he could imagine that was what she was thinking when it was happening. 'Abby, I'm here.' was all he could say. Then he noticed that her breathing had changed. 'Abby,' he said, 'calm down.'

Abby panicked. She couldn't breath. This guy was gonna kill her. John, she thought, please help me. She started taking quick, swallow breaths and her eyes got that panicked look in them that had been there earlier. She was really struggling to breathe as she stammered, 'John...can't... breathe please'

Carter looked at her desperately, ' You need to calm down and take deep breaths.' It didn't seem to be working as Abby started to flap her arms in a really panic. Carter was now panicking, should he call 911? Should he call Susan? He knew he shouldn't have brought her home so soon. 'Abby,' he said softly, 'you need to calm down I can't help you like this. You need to breath.' He didn't seem to do much good, she seem to be having so much difficultly. 'Abby please, listen to me. Your at home, in bed, and you really need to calm down, please Abby..............Abby your scaring me.' With this last statement he seem to lock eyes with her and she stared at him.

Looking into his eyes Abby finally focused on Carter. 'John..' she choked out. Carter relaxed a little as her breathing seem to calm down a little. 'That's right Abby;' he said softly, ' breathe deep breathes. Its ok I'm here and no one is gonna hurt you again.'

Abby slumped back against Carters chest and continued to take slow deep breaths, intermingled with sobs. Carter again rapped his arms around her pulling her to him as she collapsed in his arms. He rocked her back and forth, listening to her breathing and silent crying. It seem like forever but he was sure it was only ten minutes when she finally rested into a normal breathing pattern. He listened carefully as she feel to sleep again, truly exhausted. He wondered, as he felt himself drift off again, whether Abby would be able sleep well at night again.

Abby stirred in the bed and Carter took one more last look before reaching over and gently pulling her hair away from her face. He really had to go if had any chance of being at work on time but she seemed to have this hold on him. He couldn't leave her side. When did that happen? Oh yeah, he thought, about 2 ½ years ago!! He gently leaned over, kissed her forehead, maybe lingering a little longer than necessary, then left.

Abby was bored. She walked around the apartment, again, trying to find something to do. She knew that she should be happy that she wasn't at work but she was bored. She looked out of the window, remembering why she wasn't at work. Yeah, that jerk nearly killed her. She impulsively shivered at that thought. She had woken this morning feeling tried and sore. And alone. When she realized Carter wasn't there she remembered he had had to go to work today. She had showered and cleaned the apartment. Even thought about baking some brownies, but then realized that was just the crazy talking. She didn't cook or bake if she could help it. Then she had started her endless walking of the apartment, constantly watching the kitchen clock. At a quarter to twelve she had had enough. She needed to get out of there. So she grabbed her coat and headed out the door.

Carter's day was a flurry of people asking after Abby. He reassured them all that she was doing ok and that there was no lasting damage. Her throat was still sore and her head was giving her some trouble, but she was handling it all quite well. By lunchtime he thought it might be better if he just made a public announcement about her health but then decided against it. He could just see the look on Abby's face if she knew he had done something like that. He had been trying to call home all morning to check on her but between the staff's questions and the actual patients, by lunchtime he still hadn't managed to call. He walked past the admit desk, leaving the chart of a patient he had dispoed.

'Jerry,' he called, 'I'm on break for 5. I'll be in the lounge.'

Without waiting for Jerry to answer, or someone to rope him in with another patient, he pushed through the door. Picking up the phone he dialed the number automatically. He found he couldn't wait to hear her voice, just to set his mind at ease that she was ok. By the 4th ring he grew concerned. When the answer machine kicked in, he was worried. 'Hi, this is Abby, leave a message...' 'Abby..' Carter practically shouted into the phone, 'Abby its John, pick up' He thought for a minute that maybe she had had enough of people calling and was screening calls. When she still didn't answer he started to panic. 'Abby pick up!' After a few more minutes he put the phone down. A million thoughts ran through his head as to why she wasn't answering and most of them were not good. He quickly got up out the chair and raced back to the desk.

'Jerry, you seen Dr Weaver anywhere? He asked.

'No.'

Susan came up to the side of him. 'I think she's up in some meeting.' She told him. 'Something to do with what happened to Abby.'

Carter looked at Susan with wide eyes. 'Can you cover for me for a couple of hours? Abby's not answering the phone.'

Susan looked concerned, 'Is she ok?'

'I don't know that's why I have to.....'

Carter was interrupted by Jerry. 'Dr Carter.'

Carter looked at Jerry annoyed, 'What?'

Jerry pointed to the ambulance bay with a nod. Carter turned his head and saw what Jerry was pointing to. Abby was pushing open the doors into the ER. Carter was immediately concerned. 'Abby, what's wrong?' he asked, coming over to meet her halfway, not realizing Susan was following. 'Are you ok? You in any pain?'

'Carter,' Abby said, pushing away his hands as they automatically came up to check her head and neck. 'Stop it, I'm ok.'

Carter looked at her then pulled her into a hug, half glad that she was there and she ok, half worried at why she had come all the way downtown.

'Hey Abby,' Susan called out, just to remind Carter that she was still there, 'glad you're feeling better.'

Abby pulled away from Carter's death grip and smiled at her friend. 'Well I was alright when this dope finally left for work this morning,' she elbowed Carter in the ribs gently. 'Its been like hell living with him the last couple of days.'

'Yeah right.' Susan said sarcastically, knowing full well that Abby didn't mean it.

Carter turned to Abby. 'So, not that I'm glad to see you, but, what are you doing here?'

'I was bored,' she replied as she took the lead and led them into the lounge.

Susan laughed, 'Carter, I take it back. There was brain damage.' She looked at Abby. 'You have time off and you choose to spend it here!'

Abby shrugged and laughed, 'yeah but unlike some, I don't have to work.' Susan looked at Abby, then across to Carter and she saw that look he always gets on his face when Abby was around. She looked back at Abby and shook her head, 'you two are unbearable.'

'What?' Abby asked. Susan laughed and took on a dramatic pose and in a very questionable southern accent said, 'Why Mr. Carter, I couldn't possibly be out of your sight for a minute longer.' Then she changed her pose and said, 'Well my little Ms. Lockhart, I'll just never have to leave your side again.'

Abby and Carter watched with disbelief at Susan's antics. After she had stopped laughing she looked at the pair of serious faces in front of her, 'well,' she said, ' you two make me sick.' Before either of them could retaliate to Susan making fun of them, the door opened and Dr. Weaver came in.

'Oh good,' she said, looking at Carter, 'Jerry said you were in here.'

Carter quickly said, 'I'm on break.'

'Relax Carter,' Kerry said. She looked at Abby. 'Abby, its good to see you. How are you doing?'

Abby was taken back with Kerry's concern and Susan looked on shocked.

'I'm ok.' Abby said, 'just got fed up with being at home.

'Well, I'm glad you've come in actually, I was just about to call you. I have something I need to discuss with you.' Abby raised her eye brows, wondering what Dr Weaver could possibly want with her.

Susan took this as an opportunity to leave. 'Abby, come find me when you're done,' and she turned to leave.

'Susan,' Kerry stopped her, 'this concerns you as well.' Susan stopped and looked back with curiosity at Abby and Carter. 'In fact,' Kerry continued, ' it involves some others too so if you three don't mind waiting here, I'll go find the others.' With that she left. Susan, Abby and Carter looked at each other. Each with the same clueless expression on their face. 'Well,' Abby said, 'this is intriguing,' as she sat on the couch. Carter sat next to her and pulled her hand into his. 'Yeah, you know Weaver though,' he said, 'she obviously has something in her head. Susan sat in a chair at the table, 'yeah but who'd want to know what that was.' The three sat in silence for a minute, each in their own thoughts.

Finally Kerry came back in the lounge but she was followed by Pratt, Luka, Chunni, Lydia, Malik and Gallant. Each of them said hello to Abby and asked her how she was doing. Abby answered and there was small talk between them all until Kerry interrupted them.

'You're probably all wondering what I called you in here for?' she addressed the group. There was a murmur of agreement and heads nodding between the group assembled in front of her. 'What happened the other day with Abby and Mr. Richmond was an unfortunate occurrence,' Abby felt Carter squeeze her hand slightly at the mention of that name, she glanced over at him and smiled slightly, whilst placing her hand over his. Of course this didn't go unnoticed by Susan who smiled to herself at the show of affection between the two. She glanced around to see if anyone else had noticed but everyone else seemed to be actually paying attention to what Weaver was saying, all except Luka. He was watching Abby intensively. Susan couldn't be sure but she thought she saw a look of pain in his eyes when Abby smiled at Carter and placed her hand over his. She mentally reminded herself to have a talk with Abby about it later, either Abby or Luka. She was drawn back into the announcement that Kerry was making.

'I've been in a meeting this morning with the Board of Staff and they all agreed that the department handled the situation well.

'What!' Carter interrupted, 'Abby almost died and we handle the situation well!.'

'John, no one is saying what happened wasn't terrible and it should never have happened, but what they are saying is that the department worked well together to get Abby out of the situation and to give her the appropriate medical care. '

The room dipped into silence whilst each thought of what might have happened and what could have been.

'So,' Kerry continued. 'it's the board's opinion to give each of you some time off.'

This got the group talking with a few 'yeah' and 'great', 'but', Kerry interrupted again, 'this time will be spent together on a Team Building project.'

'Dr. Weaver,' Mailk asked, 'are those things for people who can't work well together in teams. I thought you just said that we did work well together.'

'Yes, Malik,' Kerry responded. 'They are usually used like that but the project that we're going on is to relieve stress and boost morale, which the board thought might be needed after what had happened.'

'Hey don't knock it Malik,' Pratt joined in, ' a week away from here anywhere is better than nothing.' Again this got a group consensus of agreement.

'So,' Kerry said. 'everyone needs to be here for 700am in 2 days.' She looked around at her staff, ever wondering if they knew how proud she was of them all. She lingered on Abby, thinking of what could have been and thinking that she was very brave to come back on her own accord. She wondered how this next week would effect the girl. With that she nodded and turned back to the group, 'ok everyone back to work, we have a ER to run.' She led them all out leaving Carter and Abby alone. 'Take whatever time you need Carter.' she said, then she was gone. Carter and Abby looked at each other and smiled as he got comfortable on the couch and Abby settled herself against his chest.